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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






2. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






3. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






4. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






5. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






6. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






7. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






8. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






9. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






10. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






11. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






12. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






13. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






14. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






15. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






16. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






17. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






18. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






19. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






20. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






21. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






22. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






23. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






24. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






25. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






26. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






27. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






28. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






29. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






30. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






31. A successive transposition and repetition of a phrase at different pitches.






32. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






33. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






34. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






35. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






36. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






37. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






38. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






39. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






40. Sliding between two notes.






41. A string of chords played in succession.






42. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






43. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






44. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






45. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






46. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






47. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






48. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






49. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






50. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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